How To Make A Samurai Sword
If like me, you love samurai swords and admire the craft, then you must surely realize learning how to make a samurai sword is not something which happens overnight. Nor is it something any article, any book, or any casual conversation can teach you.
It’s something which is taught only by a master sword smith to his students over the course of several years apprenticeship. Evidence of the controlled nature of sword making in Japan is the fact not even an apprentice is permitted to attempt a full blade until his master deems him competent to do so. He can however, during the interim, create short, simpler tanto daggers which lack many of the complex characteristics of a full blade.
What’s more is, in Japan, you have to be licensed to create a samurai sword. This is not only to preserve the integrity of the craft, but as much to control the distribution of these most deadly weapons. In fact, each blade must be registered with the police.
Only by undertaking a full-time apprenticeship of several years under a master sword smith can you truly learn how to make a samurai sword.
If you are serious about this, my advice is to do research and contact the sword smiths and ask them about becoming a student of theirs. Don’t forget – you’ll not only need to move to Japan for several years, but, you’ll really need to be able to speak, read and write fluent Japanese.